Shortcut keys are indicated by , e.g:
Move Tool = [w]
Rotate Tool = [e]
Duplicate = [Ctrl]+[d]
Parent = [p]
Middle Mouse Button = [MMB]
Right Mouse Button = [RMB]
This tutorial covers an in-depth practical approach to developing a completely automated gear system. The tutorial will show you how to do everything from modeling gears that successfully interlock, to coding (MELScript) the system (Fig.01)(Video.01 - 02).
The objective of this tutorial is to introduce you to the following:
Getting Started and Creating the First Cog
i. Scene Setup and Timeline
ii. Modelling a Cog
Creating the Prototype Cogs
i. Creating a Set of Cogs that Interlock
ii. Customising the Cogs
iii. Creating your First Gear Combination
Creating the Gear System
Creating the Door
i. Calculate the Size of the Teeth.
Animating the Gears
i. Creating the MELScript
ii. Creating an Expression
- The Expression Editor
- Error Checking
iii. Finishing Touches
- Anticipation and Overlap (Roll Back and Forward)
iv. All Stop..!! ...Weight
i. The Door as the Driver
Setting up the Project
The Project folder contains all the source files used in the scene, which are organised into sub-folders. This allows your scene to source for all the appropriate files and references in an organised manner.
Create a New Project (File > Project > New):
1. Name the Project
2. Location to Save the Project
3. Set Folder Names
Name the Project: only use lower case characters, obvious names with no spaces.
Location of Project: The default location is set to Documents Folder, but if you are not working on your own computer it's better to save it to the Desktop. You can copy the Project folder to your portable device when you have finished this tutorial. Do not save your project to your portable drive (thumb drive) at this stage or the performance will lag (Fig.02).